An advert that seemingly portrayed joining the Austrian army as a way of getting attractive females has been canceled after outrage and accusations that the video is sexist.
The video, which shows a group of dorky yet tank-driving soldiers winning the hearts of provocatively dressed women (over a tough-guy Audi driver) was designed to stem a sharp decline in the number of young men signing up for army duty.
"Our clip is so dorky it's brilliant," said Col Johann Millonig, from the army's marketing department.
However, others were upset with the video. Judith Goetz, who is in charge of feminist issues at the Austrian Students' Union, said, "It is totally archaic to show such an obviously sexist video at a time when women are already part of the Austrian military."
The video has now been changed to a new video - of a soldier making a mad dash to make it to a rendezvous with a sexy female.
"It's better, but not by much," said Juliette Langer, a Viennese feminist activist.
Here is a rough transcript of the advert:
Audi Driver: hey Girls, wanna go for a spin in my fast ride?
Girls: ehh not sure, there's not even enough space for all of us
Soldier: wazzup girls, in the mood for a joyride?
Girls: *yaaaaay*
Soldier: join the army if you wanna drive a tank
Soldier2: jump in, starting engine
Audi Driver: hey, what about the spin?
Girl: forget it, I want to drive something big
Narrator: the Austrian Armed Forces offer unique opportunities for young people who are at least 18, everything else is just everday life